ONE STEP TO FREEDOM

SYNOPSIS

February 1939: Switzerland closes its borders to Jewish refugees. However, hundreds of people continue to get over the border without a valid visa. An investigation is launched by the Chief of the Swiss immigration authorities, Heinrich Rothmund (Robert Hunger-Bühler), to look into the illegal border crossings. Police inspector Robert Frei (Max Simonischek), a young, ambitious official who believes in authority, is summoned to the canton of St. Gallen. There, he finds out about a help system, which is born by large parts of the population, and enabled by St. Gallen police captain Paul Grüninger (Stefan Kurt) in close collaboration with Sidney Dreifuss (AT) who was director of the jewish refugee aid in Switzerland.
In the course of the Investigation, the suspicion is substantiated that Grüninger is letting refugees in without a valid visa, and even forging documents, and bringing refugees over the border illegally. Grüninger freely admits to his actions, however, he does not want to accept that he is acting against the law and therefore national security. He is doing this out of pure humanity and can not do any differently. Frei is irritated. Grüninger's unreasonableness and the sight of the refugees seeking help, makes him doubt whether his task is right. Should he present his report to a superior? Or cover for Paul Grüninger?

NOMINATIONS